Ghana's National Seed Council has called for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders to build a resilient seed sector. This move aims to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security across the nation. The Council emphasized the critical need for an efficient seed value chain.
Alhaji Mumuni Abubakari, Chairman of the National Seed Council, made this call during a stakeholder engagement. The event took place in Walewale, North East Region. This engagement was part of a nationwide tour to assess seed production, distribution, and certification activities. The tour seeks to understand the real-time status of the seed value chain. It also identifies challenges and opportunities affecting farmers' access to quality seeds.
This initiative fits into Ghana's broader economic strategy to bolster its agricultural sector. Agriculture remains a significant contributor to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Improving seed quality and access directly impacts farmer incomes and national food reserves. The government's Feed Ghana Programme, for instance, relies heavily on a robust seed sector. This program distributes free fertilizer and Nkoko nkititi to farmers. Strategic investments in the vegetable sector, particularly tomato production, also depend on quality seeds. Modernizing seed conditioning facilities in Tamale, Bolgatanga, and Wa with JICA partnership further supports this goal.
Alhaji Abubakari stated, "Quality seed is a time-sensitive commodity, making an efficient seed value chain critical to the success of farmers and the country's food security agenda." He further noted that the Council is assessing local seed growers' capacity. They are also evaluating the efficiency of distribution networks. The effectiveness of the certification process is under review to safeguard agricultural investments.
The Council's efforts will focus on addressing several critical issues. Infrastructure challenges, such as inadequate modern seed processing and cold storage facilities, are a major concern. The growing impact of climate variability also poses a significant threat to seed production. However, opportunities exist for private-sector investment. Digital technologies, like electronic seed tracking and authentication, can help eliminate fake seeds from the market. These innovations can ensure farmers receive genuine, high-quality seeds.
Furthermore, the Council is working to accelerate the release and multiplication of improved seed varieties. Research institutions have developed high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant varieties. These innovations, however, have limited impact if they remain in laboratories. The Council is streamlining processes for the National Variety Release and Registration Committee. It is also strengthening the multiplication pipeline from breeder seed to certified seed for farmers. This ensures new varieties reach farmers quickly and efficiently. Strengthening seed traceability systems will enable farmers to identify the source of seeds they purchase. This transparency builds trust and improves quality control. The Council urges seed producers to adopt sustainable production and management principles. Building a resilient seed sector requires deliberate partnerships among all stakeholders. This includes government regulators, research scientists, private seed companies, and agro-dealers. The goal is concrete action, not just discussions, to secure Ghana's food future.